Seeking for Over Kitchen Sink Lighting? Why do you need one?
You have to spend most of your day in a space if you are a professional chef, cooking enthusiast, or culinary hobbyist; that is your house’s kitchen. Like other parts of your house, your kitchen also deserves proper lighting. Starting cooking for your friends and family from morning to prepare a healthy breakfast to night to indulge in a meal or snack cravings is boring to many. Therefore, you need to do something to make your kitchen a better workspace, and here comes- over kitchen sink lighting.
Not all regular above kitchen sink light fixtures are versatile enough to give positive results for every task. In this context, only the right over kitchen sink lighting can improve the functionality and efficiency of your kitchen. This article will discuss the importance of lighting above the sink, how to choose the best light over kitchen sink among various lighting fixture types, and things to consider before choosing a light fixture for your kitchen. So, let’s get into the discussion without delaying more.
Importance of Over Kitchen Sink Lighting
Installing a light over kitchen sink is essential to enhance your kitchen’s overall aesthetics and functionality. You will be able to do a variety of tasks with utmost accuracy if you install a good kitchen sink light properly. In addition, it also helps to illuminate the dark corners of the kitchen. Therefore, the stress of washing dishes, cleaning kitchen utensils, preparing food, or repairing kitchen materials becomes less. Also, the lighting is a great way to incorporate a new style into the kitchen that will explore your personality in a unique way.
Working in low light creates strains and makes the task more time-consuming. Luckily, you can get this problem solved with an appropriate light fixture installed above your kitchen sink. However, you should also remember that too much light in a small kitchen is also problematic as it causes discomfort to your eyes. So, considering the color temperature of the above kitchen sink lights is highly important. Selecting the accurate fixture type and understanding the brightness and color temperature of the light is enough to make your kitchen a comfortable and relaxing place to work for hours.
Best Over Kitchen Sink Lighting
Many kitchen sink lighting fixtures are available in the market, so making an informed decision about using the best lighting is not complicated. Before purchasing your over kitchen sink, don’t forget to consider the design, type, functionality, maintenance, and requirements of your kitchen. Let’s learn about some of the most hyped over kitchen sink lighting fixtures in the following section.
Undercabinet Lighting
As the name suggests, you install undercabinet lighting under your kitchen cabinets, especially when the kitchen space is more compact. When the apartment is small, install the kitchen lighting under the kitchen cabinetry. You should install undercabinet lighting if you want to ensure that your kitchen sink gets proper light wherever you need it.
Installing undercabinet lighting is relatively easy compared to other lighting fixtures, which is a great advantage of it. In addition, as this lighting is installed under the cabinet, they are well protected from water and other elements.
Pendant Lighting
If you want to add a touch of elegance to your kitchen space, installing pendant lighting will be the best choice. It is a popular choice as over kitchen sink lighting due to its charm and efficiency. A wide range of pendant lighting fixtures is available, making it easy for you to find the right one that aligns with your lifestyle and kitchen’s requirements. Try to assess the color palette and an eye-catching design for your wide kitchen space. This lighting requires careful positioning. Install the pendant lighting neither too high to obstruct the kitchen view nor too low to provide effective functionality. Ensure the pendant lighting size is proportional to the sink area. Without ensuring proper balance, you cannot create an aesthetic appeal.
Recessed Lighting
Recessed lighting is the fixtures usually installed above the ceiling of the kitchen. Unlike the undercabinet lighting, it provides an even and clear light across the entire kitchen. Recessed lighting is popular among Australian households due to its incredible versatility over kitchen sink lighting. One of the best benefits of this lighting is to get an even distribution of light both in the kitchen and the adjacent interior spaces of your house. So, if you have an adjacent dining room with a kitchen, opt for installing the recessed lighting without a second thought.
While installing this lighting, it is essential to ensure that you strategically position to illuminate the whole sink area without casting unpleasant shadows. Recessed lighting is also ideal for a kitchen with darker-toned sinks. This lighting may require extensive and careful installation work. You might need the help of professionals to strategically place this lighting above the ceiling line. You may find a wide range of style variations in this lighting fixture.
Wall Mounted
Wall mounted over kitchen sink lighting fixture is an amazing choice for illuminating the area over your kitchen sink. This lighting fixture has great functionality and charm to the kitchen space with its various and versatile designs. Whatever wall-mounted lighting option you choose for your kitchen, you must ensure that your wall-mounted sink lighting is perfectly suitable and can be securely attached to the selected surface. Proper positioning of the lighting is essential to avoid shadows and glares.
LED Flush Mount Lighting
LED flush mount lighting is your go-to option if you want cozy and simple lighting for your small kitchen sink area. This lighting fixture is particularly designed to be mounted directly onto your ceiling and provide a soothing appearance to your kitchen. The basic design of this lighting usually matches almost all kitchen styles. So, you don’t need to worry about choosing one from ample varieties of this lighting type. This lighting fixture brings good brightness to the space for a smaller kitchen sink area.
Multi Lamp Lighting
Another stylish solution for your kitchen sink area is multi-lamp lighting. It is particularly suitable for larger kitchen spaces where a single light may not be enough to provide ample illumination. This lighting set-up consists of various pendant lights that together add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your kitchen. Choose the number of fixtures depending on the sink area and the brightness level you want.
Installing a multi-lamp will explore your choice, lifestyle, and sense of style. So, you should choose this work of art wisely to make sure the multi-lamp lighting arrangement doesn’t look awkward with the overall decor of your kitchen. The style of the lighting must complement the kitchen’s aesthetics and balance well with the interior design of the kitchen.
Things to Consider when Installing Over Kitchen Sink Lighting
When it comes to installing over kitchen sink lighting, you have to consider several important factors. They include:
Height of the Lighting Fixture
The height and placement of over kitchen sink lighting is the most important consideration to ensure the efficiency of the lighting, your functionality in the kitchen, and the kitchen’s overall aesthetics. The height of the lighting fixture may vary depending on the type of light you want to install. Position the bottom of the light above your eye level so that you can get rid of irritating shadows and glare while working in the kitchen sink. The height is a very essential consideration in the case of installing a pendant light, chandelier, or sconce. However, for recessed lighting, the height of the fixture is not much important. Try to install the sink lighting fixture at least 36 inches above the sink surface with an optimal height of around 40 inches.
Lighting Requirements of Your Kitchen
You must know the purpose of installing a light over the kitchen sink. Isn’t it? You should consider positioning a kitchen sink lighting to get adequate illumination for your regular kitchen activities, like preparing food, washing dishes, storing utensils after use, cleaning stuff, etc. Select a warm white color that provides enough brightness in the whole kitchen. We need to use our kitchen for various purposes. So, make sure the light you choose is suitable for the kitchen space and provides comfort to your eyes while doing tasks.
The Type of Switch
It is also important to know the type of switch for controlling the over kitchen sink lighting. You will get a good opportunity to control the brightness of the light with a dimmer switch and create a cozy atmosphere in the kitchen room.
Joist for Securing Heavy Light
If it’s possible to add a joist, go for it! You should do it during remodeling. This process will help you to secure your heavy-weighted light fixture. It is a time-saving and cost-effective solution for your large and heavy over kitchen sink light. Don’t worry if you don’t have much experience with adding it. There are lots of online videos regarding this matter. You can simply watch them to snatch the hang of it. Maintain all the safety protocols while working with the wiring. Still, if you’re not confident enough to deal with electricity, hire a professional electrician. It is a fairly easy project for them.
Know About the Sink Setup
Different kitchen spaces require different lighting fixtures as the sink setup is different. You can position the sink under a window, a counter, or an island. Depending on the position of the sink, you need to choose the right over kitchen sink lighting. You don’t need to go for a light with powerful wattage like traditional hundred-watt bulbs. The sink is to installed under a window where you always get enough natural sunlight in the daytime.
Structural Support
Before selecting a lighting option for your kitchen sink area, you should evaluate the infrastructure in your kitchen. If you are new to doing this task, you will likely want to install the light fixture directly over the sink. Before installation, you must figure out whether there are some electrical connections.
If the lighting fixture you choose is large and heavy, you will need to attach the electrical box to the ceiling joist so that the light fixture will get the adequate support it needs. Also, consider the wiring and power source available to make sure the lighting fixture provides a perfect integration. However, not all over the kitchen lighting varieties require additional support.
FAQ
The size of recessed over kitchen sink lighting varies depending on an individual’s personal preference and kitchen layout. Two 6 inches of recessed lighting is good for proper lighting in a kitchen. However, you can add more lights for sufficient illumination. Don’t forget to consider the sink size, height, and lighting coverage while selecting the recessed over kitchen sink lighting for your kitchen.
The pendant over kitchen sink lighting should be installed in a way that gives optimal functionality and visual appeal. You can install it 35-40 inches above the surface of the kitchen sink. When the ceiling of your house is higher than 8 feet, install the pendant over the kitchen sink lighting higher than 40-42 inches over the sink’s surface.
Installing lighting over the kitchen sink is not too complicated to ask for professional help. It is a project that everyone can do without taking help from an expert. However, depending on the installation area’s complexity, the light’s size, and your knowledge, you may need to hire an experienced electrician. Also, as a first-time installer of the kitchen sink lighting, you may not be confident enough to take the project in hand. In that case, you can opt for hiring a licensed electrician. So, depending on your comfort and the installation complexity, you can give the project to the hand of a professional.
No, installing a chandelier as a over kitchen sink lighting is almost similar to that of a pendant or other types of lighting. The wiring is the same as other kitchen sink lighting. However, it is important to remember that chandeliers are typically larger and heavier lighting types, which sometimes require hard and labor-intensive effort. All you need to do is to be extra cautious while installing a chandelier over the kitchen sink. Besides, you must determine the optimal height before installation.
Floodlights are typically used for outdoor areas. They might not be a suitable choice to be installed over the kitchen sink. If you have a smaller kitchen, floodlights will cause shadows and glare. Using better lighting options like pendant lighting, wall-mounted lighting, undercabinet lighting, etc, is recommended. However, since it is a form of recessed lighting, you can use it in your kitchen as they are good at handling master generated from your regular tasks.
The Bottom Line
Many people overlook the importance of lighting in the very functional space of our house, the kitchen. Lighting is needed to enhance the kitchen’s aesthetics and perform the cooking tasks more accurately and safely. We have given some excellent above kitchen sink lighting ideas and the ways to choose the right one among a wide range of options for your kitchen to enhance the efficiency of the kitchen and your working interest. Make sure the brightness, color of the lighting, size of the sink, cleaning and maintaining requirements of the light, etc., make proper balance with your personal lifestyle and aesthetic.